Sea to Sky Marine Trail opens to kayakers and canoeists in Howe Sound

A new 40-kilometre trail has officially opened northwest of Vancouver, but it doesn't go over land.

Spanning Howe Sound, the Sea to Sky Marine Trail runs from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish to Gibsons and is designed for human-powered watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes.

Along the paddling trail, there are campsites in Porteau Cove, Halkett Bay, and Plumper Cove provincial parks and six new provincial marine recreation sites.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced the trail's opening on June 14 in Squamish. Another celebration is set for June 28 in Gibsons.

The B.C. government, Squamish Nation, Squamish-Lillooet and Sunshine Coast regional districts, Town of Gibsons, Bowen Island Municipality, districts of Squamish and West Vancouver, and B.C. Marine Trail Networks Association were all involved in making the trail a reality.

"Squamish Nation played an active role in the creation of the Sea to Sky Marine Trail, much of which runs through our traditional territory," Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation, said in a June 14 news release issued by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. "It is a sacred trust for us to protect sensitive land and marine habitats here in Howe Sound. At the same time, we want to share them with the people of B.C. - and with visitors from around the world."

Map of the Sea to Sky Marine Trail.

The Sea to Sky Marine Trail links to the 180-kilometre, land-based Sea to Sky Trail, which will run from Squamish to D'Arcy when it's completed, and is part of the Trans Canada Trail network.

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